New Jersey Hall of Fame Exhibit for Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Celia Cruz Dress
Celia Cruz

When Fidel Castro seized power in 1961 Cuba, Celia Cruz, long known as “The Queen of Salsa Music,” emigrated to the United States, landing in Fort Lee in Bergen County where she lived out the rest of life until she died from cancer in 2003 at 77. In 2022, the Forked River Service Area on the Garden State Parkway was renamed as the Celia Cruz Service Area. In 2024, just last month, the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream on Route #3 in East Rutherford started hosting a special exhibit honoring her powerful voice, colorful costumes and vibrant personality. It will stay open throughout November as an extension of America’s Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). Recognized as one of the most popular Latin singers of the 20th Century, Celia Cruz’s 37 albums sold over 10 million copies. She was on tour in Mexico when Che Guevara led the Cuban Revolution for Castro, who refused to allow her back in Cuba so Havana’s loss was Fort Lee’s gain.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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